Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 1544: An Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal

This bill gives tenants in multi-unit rental properties the first right to purchase their building if the owner sells due to foreclosure, short sale, or similar circumstances. It requires tenants to form a Tenant Association (representing at least 51% of occupied units) to exercise this right, with the property then becoming Long-Term Affordable Housing (requiring 30+ years of affordability restrictions for low-income households). Municipalities must adopt this local option for it to apply, and the purchase must be structured through a Tenant Association or its designated entity to ensure the property remains affordable. The bill specifically excludes single-family homes occupied by owners and certain housing types like shelters or temporary dwellings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingGuarantees tenant's first right of refusal on property sales/leases, strengthening tenant protections in housing development and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2308: An Act relative to multi-family zoning in MBTA communities

This bill exempts MBTA communities that already have over 10% low- or moderate-income housing (based on the latest federal census) from certain multi-family zoning requirements. It directly affects towns and cities within MBTA service areas that have met this housing threshold. The key provision removes the obligation for these communities to allow multi-family housing developments under Chapter 40A zoning rules, as long as their existing affordable housing stock exceeds the 10% benchmark. This change applies specifically to communities where affordable housing already aligns with local needs as defined by Chapter 40B.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits multi-family zoning in MBTA communities, increasing housing supply and affordability through zoning reform, directly advancing housing development goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 374: An Act providing for tenant agents

HD 741 requires anyone charging a fee to find housing for tenants to be a licensed real estate broker or salesperson. It directly affects unlicensed individuals or companies currently offering tenant-finding services for payment. The bill prohibits unlicensed fee-charging tenant-finding services while allowing licensed brokers to specifically represent tenants in locating and negotiating leases. This changes the licensing requirement for a specific type of housing assistance service, making it mandatory for those charging fees to hold a real estate license.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes tenant agents to strengthen tenant rights and protections in housing disputes, directly advancing tenant protection under housing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 20, 2025

H 1518: An Act relative to starter homes

This bill removes the phrase "starter home zoning district" from two sections of Massachusetts' zoning law (Chapter 40R). It does not create new policies or affect any specific groups, as it only deletes a reference that was already present in the statute. The amendment applies to existing zoning regulations but makes no changes to how starter homes are defined or regulated. This is a technical correction to the law's language, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes single-family starter home construction, a standard method to expand affordable housing availability and support first-time homebuyers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Apr 1, 2026

H 4768: An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land in the city of Brockton

This bill authorizes Massachusetts to transfer a specific parcel of land in Brockton (bounded by Beaumont Ave, Quincy St, Crescent St, and Burrill Ave) to Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston for $1. The land must be used exclusively for affordable housing (for households earning ≤80% of area median income) and a community services center offering food, childcare, or vocational training. If the transfer isn't completed by December 31, 2030, the state may competitively sell or lease the land after appraisals and public notice, with a reversion clause requiring the land to return to the state if purposes change. The transfer includes enforceable restrictions to ensure the land serves its intended community purposes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates land transfer for affordable housing (≤80% AMI) with community services, directly advancing housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1989: An Act relative to fairness in home sales

This bill prohibits discrimination against certain homebuyers during home sales transactions. It directly affects individuals facing bias from sellers or real estate agents based on protected characteristics. The key provision would require sellers and agents to avoid discriminatory practices in the sales process. The bill aims to create fairer home-buying experiences by banning specific discriminatory acts under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination in home sales, directly aligning with tenant/buyer protection indicators under housing policy.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 6, 2025

H 51: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, directly affecting families experiencing homelessness. Key provisions require these funds to be used for specific housing-related services outlined in prior legislation and allow transfers to state agencies or workforce programs supporting this population. The bill also makes technical changes to eligibility rules for the emergency housing assistance program, specifying that families with children or pregnant women may remain eligible for up to six consecutive months of aid (removing prior restrictions on weekly terminations). These funds are available through June 2026 and must follow existing laws governing public fund disbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $425M from General Fund to fund housing services for unhoused families, directly increasing public service funding as a core budget action.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $425M for supportive housing services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly addressing homelessness through funding and program support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House May 29, 2025

HD 4728: A monthly report of the Executive Office of the Trial Court (under Section 15 of Chapter 239 of the General Laws, as amended by Section 64 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting its report on filings, actions, and dispositions of summary process cases relative to permanent rental protections

HD 4728 requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit a monthly report on eviction cases (summary process cases) involving permanent rental protections. The report must detail the number of cases filed, court actions taken, and case outcomes. This data will provide transparency on how rental protection measures are applied in Massachusetts court proceedings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires monthly reporting on eviction cases involving permanent rental protections, enabling transparency in enforcement of tenant rights under housing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1491: An Act relative to CHAMP that will revert back to local residents receiving priority over applicants that have not been screened as emergency applicants

HD 1878 changes Massachusetts' public housing application rules by ending self-certification of emergency status and reinstating priority for local residents over applicants not screened as emergency. Housing authorities must now screen applicants for emergency status instead of allowing self-certification, and local residents will be placed ahead of non-emergency applicants on waitlists. This bill applies to the state's CHAMP system, which manages public housing applications statewide for all local housing authorities. The change reverses a current practice that permitted applicants to self-certify emergency status to gain priority.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prioritizes local residents for public housing over non-emergency applicants, ensuring community access to affordable housing and aligning with tenant protection in housing allocation.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jun 2, 2025

HD 4691: A report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities (under Section 11 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2025) on the plan for phasing out the use of hotels and motels in the Emergency Housing Assistance Program

This bill transmits a report detailing Massachusetts' plan to phase out the use of hotels and motels in the Emergency Housing Assistance (EA) Program by December 2025. The report outlines a five-phase closure schedule (with 32 hotels remaining as of April 2025, targeting full elimination by year-end) and emphasizes moving families into stable housing instead of transferring them between shelters. It prioritizes closing higher-cost or less-accessible hotels, provides families with advance notice and rehousing support, and aligns closures with contract terms. The plan directly affects homeless families currently housed in hotel shelters (approximately 25% of the EA system as of April 2025), aiming to transition them to permanent housing solutions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill phases out temporary hotel/motel use in emergency housing, prioritizing stable housing transitions and reducing shelter transfers per EA Program goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track